Testosterone Replacement Therapy Effects

It seems like everywhere you look today you can see advertisements for testosterone replacement therapy. Typically men think of low testosterone as only a sexual health problem. Having Low T (low testosterone) can cause some serious medical complications for men who are deficient in the hormone.

What Are Signs Of Low Testosterone?

When many people initially look into testosterone replacement therapy effects they are trying to cure specific symptoms of low T. There are some usual suspects (sexual dysfunction) but there are some health effects you may not be aware of.

Erectile Dysfunction

Fatigue

Depression

Weakness

Low Libido

When people consider low testosterone they think of the above symptoms. However the symptoms of Low T can mirror many other diseases. Previously many low testosterone symptoms were mistakenly diagnosed as other conditions like Diabetes, Depression, Coronary Artery Disease, and High Blood Pressure.

Testosterone is not simply a sex hormone, like many people previously thought.

What Do I Do If I Think I Have Low T?

The first thing you want to do is to speak with your physician. Your doctor can run a blood test to identify the levels of free testosterone in your blood. If your levels of free testosterone are lower than the normal range (300-900 nano grams per deciliter), you may be a candidate for testosterone replacement therapy.

Low Testosterone or Andropause?

Well, technically Andropause is simply low testosterone. Andropause is not being considered the male version of menopause that many women experience. Like women men's sexual reproductive hormones stop being produced at a certain age. This age will vary from person to person but may range from age 45-60.

The identification of Andropause as a medical condition has given many men much needed recognition about their declining health and well being in their later years in life. Testosterone replacement therapy has been as effective as hormone replacement therapy for menopausal women.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy Effects

What should you expect to see when you begin a round of testosterone replacement therapy?

The immediate effects of testosterone replacement therapy may be relatively obvious.

Increased Sex Drive

Increased Energy

Strength Gains

However, there are some of the unseen effects of Low T treatments are probably more important than those that you will see immediately.

Men who receive low testosterone therapy are less likely to develop osteoporosis.

Testosterone replacement therapy effects the body's ability to control blood sugar and may be a key to preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes.

What Are The Risks for Testosterone Replacement Therapy?

While testosterone replacement therapy effects many areas of life that can improve overall quality, it is not without risk. There are several risks that have been identified when treating low testosterone. Take a look at these risks for treating Low T.

Blood Clots

Stroke

Sleep Apnea

Acne

Breast Enlargement

The use of testosterone gels can cause problems for those who come in contact with the gel. It is important that women and children not be exposed to the testosterone because it can cause side effects in them like premature puberty and hair growth.

How Long Must I Take Testosterone Replacement For It To Work?

The thing about treating Low T is that once you start the treatment you will need to remain on it to receive the benefits. This is because testosterone replacement therapy does not reactivate your body's ability to produce its own testosterone. The replacement therapy simply provides your body with testosterone that it cannot produce on its own. When you stop taking the therapy you will stop receiving the effects of the therapy.

Long term studies about the safety of testosterone replacement therapy are still being conducted. There has been little evidence about whether or not long term treatment for Low T is safe. If you begin to experience side effects, no matter how small, report them to your physician so you can evaluate your safety.

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Emily is an all around fitness enthusiast and nutrition fanatic. She held her personal training certification from the American Council on Exercise. In her free time she enjoys rollerblading with her family and dogs.

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